Razer Hydra

Razer has always been about the computer peripherals; only recently has the company gone off the beaten path and started dabbling in laptops?gaming laptops to be specific.

However, even before Razer began its epic crusade to bring back PC gaming, it always focused on PC devices that were every bit as good or better than what its console counterparts had to offer. One of the clearest examples is the Razer Hydra, a motion control device done a la Wiimote or Playstation Move style.

With two remotes?one for each hand?PC gamers can waggle themselves to victory in over 125 titles such titles as Portal 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Deus Ex, Witcher 2, and more. Some of the listed games, like Torchlight and Darkspore stand out as strange partners for the Razer Hydra, unlike the first-person titles that seem like sensible picks. The controllers scream hardcore, each sporting a joystick, four buttons, right and left bumper buttons, as well as right and left trigger buttons. The matte black plastic has a rubberized finish, which is great for keeping a grip on the controllers, and is curved so they fit nicely in hand. The Hydra motion sensing orb connects to your PC via a braided wired cable; the two controllers connect to the orb also via braided wired cables.

The Razer Hydra comes bundled with a code for Portal 2 (downloadable via Steam), which features 10 bonus levels specifically made for the Hydra. These levels emphasize the Hydra's ability to sense depth through exercises that require you to physically stretch out your arm to create to manipulate cubes. Also in regular levels the depth function helps when moving the companion cubes across distances, by stretching your arm forward to place it on a button, for instance.

It should be noted that Portal 2 is the only game that natively supports the Hydra. All other games require Razer's configuration software and, when installed, you can see how the Hydra's control settings are configured for all 125 listed games. However, you won't be able to edit the buttons unless there's an in-game button editor. I tried Fallout New Vegas with the Razer Hydra and found the experience extremely lacking compared to playing with a keyboard and mouse. Even when I switched the control settings to "joystick" it was extremely disorienting. The Hydra, like most "console" controllers, will lend itself more to first-person shooters like Call of Duty Black Ops and Left 4 Dead 2, which may translate over more naturally to the Hydra than an RPG.

The Razer Hydra is currently available for $139.99. Check out the video below to see the device in action.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/mRUlXCpUcoI/0,2817,2395294,00.asp

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